Buying used clubs is one of the smartest ways to save money in golf - but only if the clubs actually fit your swing. The trick most savvy golfers use: get professionally fitted first, then buy those exact specs second-hand. Here's how club fitting works, why it matters even more when buying pre-owned, and how to get the best of both worlds.
What a club fitting actually measures
A proper fitting uses launch-monitor technology to measure what your swing is really doing - not what you think it's doing. A good fitter, like the PGA professionals at Perth Golf Centre, uses systems such as Trackman 4, Capto and Mizuno PFS to capture the numbers that determine which clubs suit you.
| What's measured | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Ball speed | Determines your potential distance and ideal shaft |
| Launch angle | Affects carry, height and how the ball stops |
| Spin rate | Too much or too little costs you distance and control |
| Dynamic loft | Guides the right head and loft setting |
| Carry & total distance | Sets your gapping between clubs |
| Length & lie angle | Controls strike consistency and direction |
The output is a spec sheet: the head, shaft, length, lie and loft that suit your swing. And here's the key point — that spec sheet is brand-agnostic and just as useful whether you buy new or used.
Why fitting matters MORE when buying used
It sounds backwards, but a fitting arguably matters more for second-hand buyers, not less. When you buy new, a fitter builds the club to spec. When you buy used, you're choosing from what already exists - so knowing your target numbers lets you filter for the right listings instead of guessing.
Do it the other way around - buy first, hope it fits - and you can end up with a bargain that quietly costs you shots. Know your specs first, and every used club you consider can be checked against them.
The smart-money workflow: fit first, buy used second
| Step | What you do |
|---|---|
| 1. Get fitted | Book a session with a PGA fitter and get your spec sheet (head type, shaft, flex, length, lie, loft) |
| 2. Note your targets | Write down the key numbers - especially shaft flex, length and lie |
| 3. Shop used to spec | Look for pre-owned clubs that match those targets |
| 4. Fine-tune | Minor tweaks (loft/lie, grip, length) can be done cheaply afterward |
The result: tour-level fitting knowledge applied to used-club prices. You get clubs that genuinely suit your swing without paying full retail for the privilege.
Where to get fitted in Australia
Any qualified PGA fitter using a modern launch monitor will do. If you're in Western Australia, Perth Golf Centre offers full-bag and individual-club fittings with Trackman 4, and they'll give you the specs even if you don't buy through them - which is exactly what you want if you're planning to shop used.
Then buy your specs, pre-owned
Once you know your numbers, Rising Sun Clubs is a great place to find them second-hand. We stock professionally graded, pre-owned Japanese clubs across every category, with the specs listed so you can match them to your fitting. Browse our used golf clubs here, or ask us to source a specific model if you don't see your exact spec.
Fitting technology and services referenced courtesy of Perth Golf Centre. Rising Sun Clubs is an independent retailer of pre-owned golf equipment and is not affiliated with Perth Golf Centre.